Comments on: An Unexpected Comic Book Resurrection: The Flashhttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/
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By: m4lkalhttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140083
Sat, 24 May 2008 01:25:31 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140083A few things…

1. Perez not Waid killed Barry in 1985. Waid is known for bringing the Flash back as a major staple in the DCU along with Johns run.

2. The DCU and MarvelU both have killed and brought back plenty of characters. Colossus, Jean Grey, Bucky (Captain Americas sidekick), Thor and others have all died and returned with some crazy explanation applied.

3. Saying that DC has continuity issues and Marvel does not is also unfair. Let us not forget the loathed Spiderman Clone saga which attempted to change Spiderman continuity that had been around for years. Brand New Day was just published by Marvel to change years of Spiderman history because the editor didn’t like the fact that Peter and mary Jane were married. DC took a different angle because of its longer history that in 85 was hailed as one of the greatest series and stories ever in comics history.

4. To say that DC has stories that do not relate and are off the wall and Marvel does not is also unfair. Secret Invasion is just as off the wall as anything else. So was World War Hulk, House of M, Brand New Day, the Dark Phoenix saga, and more. There are many of personal and relational stories in DC such as Identity Crisis, Death in the Family, and even Infinite Crisis. These stories show us characteristics about humanity in ways that are entertaining and easier to take then a straight commentary on issues. Marvel and DC have chosen different paths for doing this and simply because you prefer one over the other does not negate that one company is making a commentary as equally deep as the other.

5. I would not say that comics are dieing. The last few years has seen a surge in comic sales as well as the quality of the medium. Will comics ever reach the glory days of the 40’s when one issue of Superman sold well over a million copies? Probably not. When a movie based on a comic however is the number one grossing film on opening night and comics give us such stories as Road to Perdition and 300 I think one can hardly say the subject matter is no longer quality or has an impact.

]]>By: espurioushttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140081
Tue, 13 May 2008 14:12:07 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140081The first comic I read was The Flash, although it was Wally West and not Barry Allen as the central character. I have followed this comic for nineteen years and would have to say that I am disappointed about this return. The DC Universe has two Flashes as is, and if Allen is to truly come back, then that means that there will be no room for West.
I can only assume that he will be the Flash to die in Final Crisis.
]]>By: Devhttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140033
Sun, 04 May 2008 13:30:40 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140033Its great to hear about the the return of barry allen.I was a great fan of DC comics in the 70s and early 80s but have lost touch since then,one of the reasons being the unavailability of DC COMICS here in india.Barry Allen is undoubtedly the greatest of all the flashes and DC has done well to bring him back along with Hal Jordan.
The likes of superman,batman(bruce wayne) and the flash are iconic characters who have survived the test of time.The onus is on the publishers of comic books to adapt to the times and survive the onslaught of television and internet just like these heroes manage to overcome the odds and survive..
]]>By: R. Weinberghttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140035
Sat, 03 May 2008 22:44:24 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140035George, There is a ten page story in the current Back Issue #28 published by TwoMorrows. This story takes you through the “Trial of the Flash”, that was carried through the last 28 issues of the series leading up to the Crisis. Rob
]]>By: Maurice Kanehttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140037
Fri, 02 May 2008 22:44:27 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140037When I heard that DC Comics was returning the Justice League of America’s heroically martyred Silver Age Flash back from the dead, I was disappointed that yet another of the rare, “permanent” comic book superheros deaths had been reversed(see Bucky aka /the Winter Soldier/the new Captain America, Colossus of the X-Men, Green Arrow). Amazing resurrections, escapes, and comebacks of heroes and villains(even moreso with the latter: Dr. Doom, Magneto)are par for the course in the world of DC and Marvel and for the most part, I enjoy those Lazarus spins on mortality, which reach mythic heights if handled creatively. However, some deaths should stay stable. Barry Allen was reduced to a scarlet-and-yellow bag of bones! Besides, we have other mainstream, current-continuity Flashes: (1) Barry’s formerly Earth-2 predecessor Jay Garrick of the JSA, the Golden Age Flash; and (2) nephew-by-marriage, Wally West, who graduated from the Teen Titans to replace his uncle in the JLA and had been recently returned himself in the JLA.JSA/Legion of Super-Heroes crossover, “The LIghtning Saga.” Will Bart be back , too? The death of Barry Allen was a classic ending to the original Crisis epic and this twist seems to retroactively cheapen that denouement.
]]>By: Redhood8http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140041
Fri, 02 May 2008 02:33:43 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140041As a fan of both DC comics and Marvel comics, I have to say that eventhough it is true that the multiple earth saga can get somewhat or very confusing at points, ultimately, there is a very good or at least decent story behind it. And it is also true that Marvel has fresh new ideas in comparison to DC, the problem Marvel has is in trying to end these stories. Although Marvel’s two most recent events Civil War and World War Hulk started off great, their endings left something to be desired. That’s the one thing I do give DC credit for: great endings. DC gives their endings a good ending while leaving the doors open for these events to influence future events. But I do agree with Gustines, I see it in a different way because I am a diehard fan of both DC and Marvel. Marvel has more mainstream superheroes than DC (DC only has the big three). Marvel also has great but simpler stories.
]]>By: T. Moudryhttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140039
Fri, 02 May 2008 01:48:59 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140039I’m pretty excited about Barry Allen’s return because he was a “police scientist.” With the success of shows like the “CSI” franchise, “Cold Case,” “Criminal Minds,” etc., surely his new adventures can be pretty exciting.
]]>By: Joe Harrisonhttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140043
Thu, 01 May 2008 21:39:31 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140043Mark Waid didn’t kill the Barry Allen Flash. It was a different M.W. Marv Wolfman.
]]>By: Michael Netzerhttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140045
Thu, 01 May 2008 07:24:43 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140045Thank you George for mentioning and linking to the campaign to save the Manhunter from Mars. As a long time DC artist who drew J’Onn in a 1970’s miniseries and was born at the time he debuted in 1955, I draw more inspiration today from the voice of comics fandom heard in the campaign, also here in many of the comments, than from the mainstream comics.

That the campaign would be mentioned here but never acknowledged by DC indicates a lack of editorial concern for the readership, that can be likened to an aristocratic government no longer concerned with the wants and needs of its people.

I’ve mentioned this article and the continued relevance of the campaign to save J’Onn J’Onzz at my site in a new entry, at the homepage to the link you provided.

Much gratitude once again.

]]>By: Jim Ahttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140047
Thu, 01 May 2008 02:34:48 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140047Barry Allen ‘s original interdimensional adventures — traveling to Earth Two via the Cosmic Treadmill to team up with Jay Garrick — were loads of fun.
And not much more farfetched than Marvel’s tales of the Fantastic Four in the Negative Zone or revisiting World War II (and that era’s heroes) in Dr. Doom’s time machine.

The parallel-earth thing did get out of hand after a while, however, and It’s fair to say Barry was pretty much a dull guy, lacking in distinctive personality traits and Marvel-esque humanizing flaws.

His death came right at the onset of the late-80s “grim and gritty” trend in hero comics, when Frank Miller reimagined Batman as a tormented obsessive; when Green Lantern Hal Jordan became a revenge-mad mass murderer; and when new “heroes” like Spawn and Lobo appeared to dispense mayhem and justice in equal doses.

Barry was simple — with a basic red and yellow costume, a crew cut that persisted through the hippie era, and a dutiful wife at home. He wouldn’t have understood the monomaniacal heroes of the 80s & 90s, and it’s hard to imagine him surviving a re-invention of his own. His was a merciful death; I hope he’s ready for the 21st century.

]]>By: Davidhttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140049
Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:13:04 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140049Comics once thrived because they excited kids, but now even television, the Great Destroyer, has trouble competing with the internet — what hope do comics have? None. Except that like painting, poetry, and the other “dead” arts, there is no reason (other than the failure of their practitioners) why they cannot continue to speak to people; as long as they do there will be a market for them.
]]>By: Djoser3http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140053
Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:12:07 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140053Some ideas for making this silly idea an actual enjoyable read:

1) Bring him back to his roots. Imbue more traits of Mercury, Greek God of speed he was originally based on. I don’t care how- just do it and do it creatively.

2) Recreate Barry Allen. Not as some targeted demographic ideal, i.e.- a Skateboarder! or an extreme sports enthusiast! (nor something boring like a gymnast)
(For the love of God- look at what Iron Man is doing for Tony Stark. Former Hasselhoff-looking, poorly drawn, irrationally ‘movable’ metal suit has now become a character driven action/fantasy story so believable, the US Army is funding the development of suits based on it.)

This list ends here. I finally issue a very simple challenge, which addresses all of my problems w/ DC and its characters:
Make it interesting.
(endnote: I fully expect that my request will be misinterpreted by this aging, ridiculous company. The only interesting thing about DC’s superhero comics are the cartoons Warner Bros. puts out based on them: excellent design, well written dialogue, and the occasional fantastic or intriguing plot. Multiple Earths: YAWN.)

]]>By: Erik K.http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140051
Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:05:37 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140051There is a reason why I never read DC comics growing up, and this article pretty well explains half of it. Multiple universes? It is confusing just reading about it. How about interesting characters like the X-Men and Spiderman? Like the fellow above, I was not even aware that the Flash had died. And for all the fuss when Superman died, he came back, of course.

As for the writing in comic books, it is doing just fine. Have a look at Manga or Graphic Novels (i.e. 300, any thing by Frank Miller). DC is just so played out…

]]>By: George Gustineshttp://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/comment-page-1/#comment-140055
Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:34:15 +0000http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/an-unexpected-comic-book-resurrection-the-flash/#comment-140055Ben — I think you’re right about a good story coming first. That trumps everything, even a return from the dead that would otherwise annoy a lot of fans.

Djoser3 — I think you raise a good point about the difference between DC’s and Marvel’s events. The diehard fans are eating them both up, but to the general public, Marvel’s big stories are a little easier to understand than DC’s.

Civil War/Marvel: should heroes register their identities and abilities with the government?

Infinite Crisis: More continuity clean ups. (One bit of craziness happened outside the regular series. A “punch” on a dimensional wall by a soon-to-be-crazed version of Superman ended up giving new life to Jason Todd, the second partner of Batman, who was famously killed via reader poll in 1988.)

Secret Invasion is Marvel’s new event storyline, which reveals that some heroes had been replaced by Skrulls, alien shapeshifts, and have been hiding in our midsts.

I’m hoping that “Final Crisis” which has been described as the day evil wins will be less about clean up and tell a really great story about Darkseid, the return of Barry Allen, and an epic struggle about good vs. evil.

I’m always skeptical of people who explain the death of comics because of the proliferation of continuity issues & giant crossovers & revivals & resurrections. Perhaps comics are a dying medium (if indeed they are) because 1) they’re too expensive, 2) print medium in general on the downturn and 3) most importantly THE WRITING AND ART IS NOT AS GOOD IS NOT AS STRONG. Some of the BEST comics in the past twenty years are strong not because of their place in the comic continuity, but because as an enclosed book they are engaging characters and characterizations. Frankly, a formalist, literalist w/r/t continuity approach to comic book writing sounds extremely boring.

So, as Flash comes back, if they can pull if off w/ a good story it’ll work and more power to them.